Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Meet Louis II…

As regular readers know there are a few plants in my garden that have earned names. Those that come with big personality, or in the case of Louis, remind me of someone I know. Louis, the person, is a blogger up in British Columbia who shares my love of the sun and plants we “shouldn't” be growing here in the Pacific Northwest, his biggest love is for palms. Louis, the plant, a Trachycarpus fortunei, was purchased late in 2012, planted in early 2013 and formally introduced here.

When we next saw Louis it was in January of this year and he wasn’t looking good. The cold temperatures of December were wreaking havoc with is beautiful fronds.

It just got worse from there. Louis was a goner, never particularly lively he seems to have been doomed from the very beginning (and I did purchase him for a rock-bottom price at a nursery of somewhat questionable means). It seems fitting this, his last photo in my garden, was taken in the sunshine...bye-bye Louis...

So, I am pleased to introduce Louis II...A gift from Sean at Cistus this stately Trachycarpus wagnerianus already has a few feet on the old Louis and looks to be a fine addition to the family. Welcome Louis II, may you live long and prosper...

Thanks guys! The original Louis (and thus the replacement) was an attempt to increase that enclosed jungley feeling of your garden. Sadly I realized the other day that with the removal of the privet, death of the acacia and moving of the Fatsia polycarpa, I've taken several steps backwards in this effort. Hopefully the massive amounts of rain we've been getting will fuel a growth spurt.

AWESOME!!! I love louis 2. Trachycarpus wagnerianus is the best palm for the PNW. Feed him lots of fish fertilizer, Louis' love their seafood! I am sincerely honoured to have a palm named after me in your garden! Maybe this year I'll plant a trunking yucca rostrata named Loree!!!?

I covet a hardy palm, but is Trachycarpus wagnerianus going to have a long life? I have a new large pot and want to put a palm in it - but I can't handle anymore loss (I'm a broken person!). Is that the hardiest one out there for the PNW?

Oh Lisa do it! There were very few palms that suffered the effects of last winter, I think the original Louis was doomed from the beginning. You would be safe with either a Trachycarpus wagnerianus or Trachycarpus fortunei, although I am tending to favor the leaves on the T. wag. It seems to be a little fast growing too. I've got another that I've never protected and it's been fine.

Louis II will be so proud of his namesake! I had the same sad experience with a young T. wagnerianus (and mine WAS from a very reputable nursery) but the T. fortunei that replaced him a year later is doing beautifully. May Louis II have a long and prosperous reign!

I thought about pulling out the old and planting the new without saying anything to Andrew, waiting to see if he noticed a short palm had suddenly put on significant growth. But then I realized there was no way he would notice and I'd just be waiting and waiting for nothing.

I can see from the left side of the wide shot with lawn that your garden has changed significantly since I was last there. More open along the fence line, new fence, expanded geometric bed behind the house. I can't wait to see it again during the Fling.